Neighbor on the lookout for suspicious activity helps nab two suspected burglars

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NEWALLA, Okla. - Oklahoma County deputies have captured two suspected burglars thanks to the eye of a nosy neighbor.

Sheriff's officials say Darren Goad and Taylor Benningfield are now in custody.

Both men were arrested on counts of second degree burglary and possession of burglary tools.

A deputy that has been out in the Newalla area recently for several burglaries gave some of the residents his cell phone number and told them to call at the first signs of something suspicious.

Turns out, that's exactly what one neighbor did when he saw Goad and Benningfield.

Mark Myers, spokesperson for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, said, "That deputy got a call from one of those neighbors saying there was a suspicious vehicle. He saw an individual wearing camouflage."

The car was parked at the entrance to an oil rig. It's out in a very rural area of Eastern Oklahoma County, surrounded by trees.

On the other side of the trees is a home where police say Goad and Benningfield are suspected of breaking in.

Myers said, "When he (the deputy) spoke with them one of the guys told him we were out here trying to plot a plan for hunting for deer.

The other guy said they had permission to be at the house and take some of the stuff."

Their stories didn't match. So, the deputy investigated further and found a hole had been cut in the fence. The deputy also found the backdoor had been busted through.

Inside the suspects vehicle were numerous watches, tools and even clothing and toys which appeared to have been taken from the home.

Deputies say it was thanks to a so-called nosy neighbor they were able to make these arrests.

Myers said, "We love nosy neighbors! The old Gladys Kravitz. Someone who's always looking out their window and sees something and is definitely aware of what's going on in their community. Those folks are great to law enforcement."

While some Oklahomans keep to themselves, the sheriff's office says we should all be a little more nosy. We should be looking out for our neighbors and calling police at the first sign something isn't right.

Myers said, "Neighborhood partnerships with law enforcement are really the most important partnership we can have in any community."

Police also found prescription medication in the suspect's car which did not belong to them.

As for the house, the homeowners were not there at the time but are grateful that their neighbor was watching out for them.